US9239505B2 - Electrophoretic display apparatus and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Electrophoretic display apparatus and electronic apparatus Download PDF

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US9239505B2
US9239505B2 US14/486,004 US201414486004A US9239505B2 US 9239505 B2 US9239505 B2 US 9239505B2 US 201414486004 A US201414486004 A US 201414486004A US 9239505 B2 US9239505 B2 US 9239505B2
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refractive index
electrophoretic
layer
display apparatus
substrate
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US20150077836A1 (en
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Katsunori Yamazaki
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E Ink Corp
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Seiko Epson Corp
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/165—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field
    • G02F1/166—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect
    • G02F1/167—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect by electrophoresis
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    • G02B26/02—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the intensity of light
    • G02B26/026—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the intensity of light based on the rotation of particles under the influence of an external field, e.g. gyricons, twisting ball displays
    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
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    • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
    • G09G3/3433—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source using light modulating elements actuated by an electric field and being other than liquid crystal devices and electrochromic devices
    • G09G3/344—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source using light modulating elements actuated by an electric field and being other than liquid crystal devices and electrochromic devices based on particles moving in a fluid or in a gas, e.g. electrophoretic devices
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    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
    • G09G3/36—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source using liquid crystals
    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
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    • G—PHYSICS
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    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/1326—Liquid crystal optical waveguides or liquid crystal cells specially adapted for gating or modulating between optical waveguides
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
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    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
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    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
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    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
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    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/165—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on translational movement of particles in a fluid under the influence of an applied field
    • G02F1/1675—Constructional details
    • G02F1/1679—Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
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    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source

Definitions

  • An electrophoretic display apparatus acquired by pouring dispersion liquid in which electrophoretic particles are dispersed into areas divided by walls which are formed between a pair of substrates are known (for example, refer to JP-A-2013-7985).
  • an electrophoretic display apparatus and an electronic apparatus capable of acquiring excellent display quality by suppressing display irregularity may be obtained.
  • a reason for change in the brightness of a target pixel due to the colors (reflectance) of peripheral pixels is that approximately 60% of reflection light in the peripheral pixels is reflected in a substrate surface and then radiated to the target pixel, and thus the target pixel reflects the light. That is, if the peripheral pixels are black, the amount of light which is radiated to the target pixel decreases, and thus the target pixel becomes dark, and, if the peripheral pixels are white, the amount of light which is radiated to the target pixel increases, and thus the target pixel becomes bright. That is, knowledge in that optical crosstalk causes the display irregularity to occur has been acquired. Embodiments are based on this research.
  • an electrophoretic display apparatus includes a first substrate, an electrophoretic layer that is arranged on one surface side of the first substrate, a refractive index variation layer that is arranged on the electrophoretic layer.
  • the refractive index variation layer is configured to change such that a refractive index gradually increases while receding from the electrophoretic layer in a thickness direction of the electrophoretic layer.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus when light at a greater than a critical angle in light scattered in the electrophoretic layer passes through the refractive index variation layer, light can be bent in a normal line direction (thickness direction of the electrophoretic layer). Therefore, it is possible to reduce light which is totally reflected and radiates adjacent pixels when light does not pass through the refractive index variation layer. Therefore, display irregularity due to optical crosstalk may be prevented from occurring, and thus it is possible to perform display with a higher quality.
  • the refractive index may continuously change.
  • the refractive index of the refractive index variation layer continuously changes, a boundary surface is not generated in the refractive index variation layer. Therefore, light is not reflected in the boundary surface in the refractive index variation layer. Therefore, light passes through the refractive index variation layer, and is effectively taken to the outside.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus may further include a second substrate that interposes the electrophoretic layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the refractive index variation layer may be arranged between the electrophoretic layer and the second substrate.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus it is possible to cause light from the electrophoretic layer to be efficiently incident into the refractive index variation layer.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus includes a second substrate that interposes the electrophoretic layer between the first substrate and the second substrate.
  • the refractive index variation layer may be provided on the second substrate on a side opposite to the electrophoretic layer.
  • the refractive index variation layer is arranged on the second substrate, it is possible to prevent the second substrate from being damaged or the like.
  • the refractive index variation layer may include a refractive index anisotropic material which has a refractive index anisotropy.
  • light from the electrophoretic layer may be securely bent, and thus it is possible to efficiently take light to the outside.
  • the refractive index anisotropic material may be a discotic liquid crystal.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus it is possible to cause light from the electrophoretic layer to be effectively refracted using the discotic liquid crystal and to be bent in the normal line direction.
  • an electrophoretic display apparatus includes a first substrate, an electrophoretic layer that is arranged on one surface side of the first substrate, and a light guide member that is arranged on the electrophoretic layer on a side opposite to the first substrate, and configured to emit light from the electrophoretic layer along a thickness direction of the electrophoretic layer.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus it is possible to take light at greater than the critical angle in light scattered in the electrophoretic layer to the outside in the normal line direction (thickness direction of the electrophoretic layer) using the light guide member. Therefore, it is possible to reduce light which is totally reflected and radiates adjacent pixels when the light guide member is not provided. Therefore, display irregularity due to optical crosstalk may be prevented from occurring and it is possible to perform display with a higher quality.
  • an electronic apparatus including the electrophoretic display apparatus according to at least one previously described embodiment.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus is included, with the result that display irregularity may be prevented in the electronic apparatus itself and thus perform display with a higher quality.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an electrophoretic display apparatus according to at least one embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating a phenomenon which is generated in an electrophoretic display apparatus according to conventional art.
  • FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an Equation 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an optical element.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an electrophoretic display apparatus according to another embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating arrangement pitch of an optical fiber on a fiber plate.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an electrophoretic display apparatus according to another embodiment.
  • FIG. 8A is a perspective diagram illustrating an electronic book as an example of an electronic apparatus.
  • FIG. 8B is a perspective diagram illustrating a wristwatch as an example of an electronic apparatus.
  • FIG. 8C is a perspective diagram illustrating an electronic paper as an example of an electronic apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an electrophoretic display apparatus according to a first embodiment.
  • an electrophoretic display apparatus 100 includes an element substrate 1 , a counter substrate 2 , and an electrophoretic layer 11 which is arranged between the element substrate 1 and the counter substrate 2 .
  • the element substrate (first substrate) 1 includes a substrate material 1 A, pixel electrodes (first electrodes) 4 which are provided on a side of the electrophoretic layer 11 of the substrate material 1 A, and a first insulation film 7 which covers the pixel electrodes 4 .
  • the substrate material 1 A is a substrate which is formed of glass, plastic, or the like, and may not be transparent because the substrate material 1 A is arranged on a side opposite to the image display surface.
  • the pixel electrodes 4 are acquired by laminating a nickel plate and a metal plate on a Cu foil in this order, and correspond to electrodes which are formed by Al, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), or the like.
  • ITO Indium Tin Oxide
  • the counter substrate (second substrate) 2 is formed of a transparent substrate material, such as glass or plastic, and is arranged on a side of the image display.
  • a planar-shaped common electrode 5 which faces the plurality of pixel electrodes 4 , is formed on the side of the electrophoretic layer 11 of the counter substrate 2 .
  • the entire surface of the common electrode 5 is covered by a second insulation film 8 .
  • the common electrode 5 is a transparent electrode which is formed of MgAg, ITO, IZO (indium/zinc oxide), or the like.
  • the electrophoretic layer 11 is filled in spaces which are divided by a first insulation film 7 which is provided on an inner surface side of the element substrate 1 , a second insulation film 8 which is provided on an inner surface side of the counter substrate 2 , and the walls 10 which are provided between the first insulation film 7 and the second insulation film 8 .
  • the walls 10 perform division on pixels G which are provided to correspond to the respective pixel electrodes 4 , and are formed of a transparent material (an acryl or epoxy resin or the like).
  • the thickness of the walls 10 is, for example, 30 ⁇ m.
  • a junction layer 21 is provided between the upper sides of the walls 10 and the second insulation film 8 .
  • the junction layer 21 is provided to connect the counter substrate 2 to the element substrate 1 on which the walls 10 are formed.
  • the junction layer 21 is formed of, for example, a transparent resin, and the upper sides of the walls 10 are encroached by the junction layer 21 .
  • the thickness of the junction layer 21 may be to an extent which does not hinder an electric field, and may be, for example, 2 ⁇ m to 6 ⁇ m.
  • the amount of the walls 10 which are encroached by the junction layer 21 may be, for example, 0.5 ⁇ m to 1 ⁇ m.
  • the electrophoretic layer 11 includes a plurality of electrophoretic particles 31 which are dispersed in a dispersion medium 30 .
  • the electrophoretic particles 31 include, for example, white particles 31 a and black particles 31 b.
  • the white particles 31 a are particles (polymer or colloid) which are formed of, for example, a white pigment, such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or antimony trioxide, and are, for example, negatively charged and used.
  • the black particles 31 b are particles (polymer or colloid) which are formed of, for example, a black pigment, such as aniline black or carbon black, and are, for example, positively charged and used.
  • dispersing agents such as charge control agents, titanium-coupling agents, aluminate coupling agents, and silane-based coupling agents which include particles, such as an electrolyte, a surfactant, a metallic soap, resin, gum, oil, varnish, and compound, to the pigments.
  • the pigments of a red color, a green color, a blue color may be used instead of the white particles 31 a and the black particles 31 b .
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus 100 capable of performing color display by displaying the red color, the green color, the blue color, and the like.
  • the dispersion medium 30 it is possible to use water, alcohol-based solvent (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, octanol, methyl cellosolve, or the like), ester (ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, or the like), ketone (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, or the like), aliphatic hydrocarbon (pentane, hexane, octane, or the like), alicyclic hydrocarbon (cyclohexane, methyl cyclohexane, or the like), aromatic hydrocarbon (benzenes having a group of benzene, toluene, xylene, and lone chain alkyl (hexyl benzenes, heptyl benzenes, octyl benzenes, nonyl benzenes, decyl
  • the electrophoretic particles 31 (the white particles 31 a and the black particles 31 b ) are electrically migrated toward any of the electrodes (the pixel electrodes 4 or the common electrode 5 ) according to an electric field which is generated between the pixel electrodes 4 and the common electrode 5 .
  • the pixel electrodes 4 are set to negative potential when the white particles 31 a have positive charge, the white particles 31 a move and gather on the sides of (lower sides) the pixel electrodes 4 , and the black color is displayed.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram illustrating a phenomenon which is generated in a general electrophoretic display apparatus 100 A according to the related art.
  • a percentage of light reflected in the electrophoretic layer 11 A that is directly emitted from the display surface is approximately 38%, and a percentage of light that is returned to the inside of the display surface is approximately 62%. Meanwhile, light which returns to the inside of the display surface is repeatedly reflected in the electrophoretic layer 11 A again.
  • FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the Expression (1). Meanwhile, in FIG. 3 , a horizontal axis indicates the reflectance R p of the electrophoretic layer 11 A and a vertical axis indicates a rate of emission of light R obs from the display surface.
  • the rate of emission of light from the display surface is rapidly lowered.
  • the reason for this may be that reflection of light from another position decreases as much as the reflectance R p . That is, if the peripheral pixels of a pixel, which is a target (hereinafter, called a target pixel), are black, the amount of light which is radiated in the target pixel decreases, and thus the target pixel becomes dark. However, if the peripheral pixels of the target pixel are white, the amount of light which is radiated to the target pixel increases, and thus the target pixel becomes bright. That is, information in which optical crosstalk generates the display irregularity is acquired.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus 100 includes an optical element (refractive index variation layer) 12 which is arranged in the counter substrate 2 on a side opposite to the electrophoretic layer 11 .
  • the optical element 12 for example, an element in which a material, such as a liquid crystal, having dielectric anisotropy is disposed such that permittivity gradually changes in a normal line direction of the display surface of the electrophoretic display apparatus 100 is used.
  • the refractive index of a transparent member which does not have magnetism is proportional to the square root of the permittivity, the optical element 12 changes such that the refractive index in the normal line direction gradually increases while receding from the electrophoretic layer 11 .
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the optical element 12 .
  • the optical element 12 according to an embodiment is formed of a liquid crystal plate that includes a substrate material 12 b and a plurality of discotic liquid crystal molecules 12 a which are arranged in a predetermined oriented state in the substrate material 12 b .
  • the oriented state of the plurality of discotic liquid crystal molecules 12 a changes such that the refractive index gradually increases while receding from the electrophoretic layer 11 .
  • the discotic liquid crystal molecules 12 a are vertically oriented on a side of the electrophoretic layer 11 and are horizontally oriented while receding from the electrophoretic layer 11 .
  • the substrate material 12 b is formed of, for example, a transparent substrate material such as acryl.
  • a material which has substantially the same refractive index as the counter substrate 2 is used as the substrate material 12 b . According to this, it is possible to prevent light, which is reflected in the electrophoretic layer 11 , from reflecting in the boundary surface between the substrate material 12 b and the counter substrate 2 .
  • the refractive index of the optical element 12 continuously changes.
  • the refractive index continuously increases while receding from the electrophoretic layer 11 . Therefore, light L of scattered light, which is incident to the optical element 12 from directions other than the normal line direction, is bent in the normal line direction while passing through the optical element 12 . As above, when light L from the electrophoretic layer 11 is effectively bent, it is possible to efficiently take light to the outside.
  • an incident angle of light which is scattered in the electrophoretic layer 11 with regard to a light emission surface is greater than a critical angle. That is, when the optical element 12 is provided, it is possible to relieve a condition for total reflection of scattered light due to the electrophoretic layer 11 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress scattered light which affects the display of other pixels because the scattered light is reflected in the surface of the counter substrate 2 when the optical element 12 is not provided.
  • the refractive index of the optical element 12 continuously changes, and thus a boundary surface is not generated in the optical element 12 . Therefore, light is not reflected in the boundary surface in the optical element 12 . Therefore, the scattered light in the electrophoretic layer 11 can pass through the inside of the optical element 12 and effectively taken to the outside.
  • the counter substrate 2 is covered by the optical element 12 , and thus it is possible to prevent the counter substrate 2 from being damaged or the like.
  • optical crosstalk is may be prevented from occurring by arranging the optical element 12 , which causes scattered light from the electrophoretic layer 11 to be bent in a direction in which the viewing angle narrows, on the side of the display surface.
  • the liquid crystal plate which is included in the optical element 12 , causes liquid crystal molecules to be horizontally oriented on the inside (side of the electrophoretic layer 11 ) and then transfers the liquid crystal molecules to be vertically oriented on a side of the boundary surface of the air (while receding from the electrophoretic layer 11 ) similarly to a viewing angle compensation film of a liquid crystal display apparatus, and thus the liquid crystal plate is used for totally reverse use compared to the case in which the viewing angle is enlarged.
  • An electrophoretic display apparatus according to another embodiment will be described.
  • At least one embodiment described above is different from this embodiment in that the optical element 12 in which the refractive index gradually changes is shown as an example of a section which relieves a condition for total reflection in the above described embodiment but a light guide member, which leads light from the electrophoretic layer in the thickness direction of the electrophoretic layer and emits light, is used in an embodiment.
  • the same reference numerals are attached to the same members in this embodiment, and the description thereof is not repeated.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the electrophoretic display apparatus according to an embodiment.
  • an electrophoretic display apparatus 200 includes an element substrate 1 , a counter substrate 2 , and an electrophoretic layer 11 which is arranged between the element substrate 1 and the counter substrate 2 .
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus 200 includes a fiber plate (light guide member) 52 which is arranged on the counter substrate 2 on a side opposite to the electrophoretic layer 11 .
  • the fiber plate 52 is configured to include a plurality of bundled optical fibers 52 a , in which a refractive index at a central part is greater than a refractive index at a peripheral part, with a predetermined pitch P.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement pitch (hereinafter, simply referred to as a pitch P) between the optical fibers 52 a in the fiber plate 52 .
  • the pitch P in the fiber plate 52 may be set such that an angle ⁇ u , which is a normal line of a light emission surface when light is emitted, is equal to or less than a critical angle ⁇ c .
  • P is set such that P is equal to or less than 2ttan ⁇ c .
  • an angle of light which passes through the fiber plate 52 may be equal to or less than the critical angle ⁇ c on at least the upper surface of the fiber plate 52 . Therefore, an angle ⁇ d of light on the lower side of the fiber plate 52 may be greater than the critical angle ⁇ c .
  • scattered light which is scattered in the electrophoretic layer 11 passes through each of the optical fibers 52 a of the fiber plate 52 on the counter substrate 2 , and thus the scattered light is bent in the normal line direction and then emitted.
  • the incident angle of light, which is scattered in the electrophoretic layer 11 with regard to the light emission surface, to be greater than the critical angle. That is, when the fiber plate 52 is provided, the condition for total reflection of scattered light due to the electrophoretic layer 11 is relieved, with the result that light is totally reflected in the counter substrate 2 , and thus it is possible to suppress light components which contribute to display of other pixels.
  • the above-described optical crosstalk is reduced, with the result that display irregularity may be prevented from occurring, and thus it is possible to perform display with a higher quality.
  • a case in which the plurality of optical fibers 52 a are arranged with regard to one pixel G is shown as an example.
  • the embodiments are not limited thereto.
  • One optical fiber 52 a may be arranged with regard to a plurality of pixels G.
  • the optical element 12 or the fiber plate 52 is provided on the outside (on the side opposite to the electrophoretic layer 11 ) of the counter substrate 2 is shown as an example.
  • the disclosure is not limited thereto.
  • the optical element 12 or the fiber plate 52 may be provided on the inner side of the counter substrate 2 .
  • the optical element 12 or the fiber plate 52 may be provided instead of the counter substrate 2 .
  • the optical element 12 or the fiber plate 52 has the function as the counter substrate 2 , and thus it is possible to achieve a thin electrophoretic display apparatus.
  • FIGS. 8A to 8C are perspective diagrams illustrating detailed examples of an electronic apparatus to which the electrophoretic display apparatus according to the embodiments are applied.
  • FIG. 8A is a perspective diagram illustrating an electronic book which is an example of an electronic apparatus.
  • An electronic book (electronic apparatus) 300 includes a frame 301 which has a book shape, a cover 302 which is provided to be rotatable (openable) with regard to the frame 301 , and operation section 303 , and a display unit 304 which includes the electrophoretic display apparatus according to the disclosure.
  • FIG. 8B is a perspective diagram illustrating a wristwatch which is an example of the electronic apparatus.
  • a wristwatch (electronic apparatus) 400 includes a display unit 401 which includes the electrophoretic display apparatus according to the disclosure.
  • FIG. 8C is a perspective diagram illustrating electronic paper which is an example of an electronic apparatus.
  • Electronic paper (electronic apparatus) 500 includes a main body section 501 which includes a rewritable sheet having the same texture and flexibility as paper, and a display unit 502 which includes the electrophoretic display apparatus according to the disclosure.
  • the range of electronic apparatus to which the electrophoretic display apparatus according to the disclosure can be applied is not limited thereto, and widely includes an apparatus which uses change in color tone in sight in accordance with the movement of charged particles.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus According to the above-described electronic book 300 , the wristwatch 400 , and the electronic paper 500 , the electrophoretic display apparatus according to the disclosure is used, with the result that display irregularity may be suppressed, thereby resulting in a high-grade electronic apparatus which can acquire display characteristics with a higher quality and which has higher reliability.
  • the electronic apparatus is an example of the electronic apparatus according to the disclosure, and does not limit the technical range of the disclosure.
  • the electrophoretic display apparatus according to the disclosure may be appropriately used for a display unit of an electronic apparatus, such as a mobile phone or a portable audio device, a business sheet such as a manual, a text book, a workbook, an information sheet, and the like.

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JP6273730B2 (ja) 2018-02-07
CN104460171A (zh) 2015-03-25

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